VALDOSTA — Changes that will impact traffic are coming to
Interstate 75 at Exit 29 next week as
a Georgia Department of
Transportation contractor begins reconstruction of the interchange.

Exit 29 is SR 122 at Hahira. The north and south outside (right)
lanes approaching the exit will close at 7 p.m. Monday and reopen
before 7 a.m. Tuesday. The outside lanes will reopen once the
barrier is in place, but the outside shoulders between the entrance
and exit ramps will remain closed for construction of the new
overpass.

Construction will also require closing the inside (left) north and
south lanes to traffic approaching and traveling under the bridge.
The contractor will begin installing a concrete barrier in that
location at 7 p.m. Tuesday. This will close the north and south
inside lanes and shoulders for the duration of construction.
Motorists should expect to see heavy equipment in the area,
including a crane, as construction progresses. Motorists will also
start seeing right of way clearing at both exits and utility
companies on site as they relocate lines, poles, etc.

Reconstructing Exits 29 and 22 will improve traffic flow and
capacity and improve visibility for drivers exiting the ramps. The
bridges were built in 1960 and the design is outdated for current
and projected traffic. Bridges will be widened to four lanes with
turn lanes, paved shoulders and concrete medians. Northbound ramps
at Exit 22, U.S. 41/SR 7/North Valdosta Road near Valdosta, will be
reconstructed as a conventional diamond design. Southbound ramps
will remain as is. At Exit 29, all ramps will be a conventional
diamond design.

The new bridges will be built adjacent to the existing overpasses,
which will not close during construction. Georgia DOT awarded the
construction contract to Reames and Son Construction Co. Inc. of
Valdosta in June. The completion date for the two interchanges is
April 30, 2020 and the construction cost is $49 million.

Interstate 75(SR 122 (Main Street) Interchange Exit 29

The I-75/SR 122 (Main Street) Interchange, Exit 29, reconstruction
begins on Main Street just east of the Frank’s Creek bridge
approximately 1782 feet west of Us. With proposed improvements, the
existing two- lane SR 122 would transition to and become two
eastbound lanes and one westbound lane separated by a variable width
flush median with rural 6 1/2-foot outside paved shoulders
approaching the intersection of relocated Morven Road and a proposed
access road serving the parcels of land on the north side of SR 122
approximately 986 feet west of HS SR 122 would continue as a
four-lane divided roadway with a 20-foot raised concrete median and
rural 6 1/Z-foot outside paved shoulders to the intersection of
relocated Union Road approximately 1063 feet east of I-75. SR 122
would continue as one lane in each direction separated
by a variable width flush median. The I-75/SR 122 Interchange
reconstruction on Main Street ends approximately 1848 feet east of
I-75 where the project would tie to the existing two—lane
rural roadway.

The project would include a new bridge over I-75 and reconstruct the
I-75 ramps as a conventional diamond interchange. Approximately 0.7
miles of Morven Road (CR 782) and 0.7 miles of Union Road (CR 38)
would be relocated to intersect reconstructed SR 122 to provide
maximum median opening spacing with the proposed I-75 ramps while
minimizing impacts to the surrounding area.

Either GDOT or Lowndes County or both has been trying to do this for a long time:

The major change made as a result of comments received is the redesign of the my
SR 122 Interchange to a conventional diamond interchange which resulted in reducing
the construction limits on the west side of l-75 by approximately 510 feet thus
eliminating the widening of the Franks Creek bridge and on the east side of I-75 by
approximately 646 feet. The use of retaining walls at the bridge end bents resulted in
proposed ramp and relocated Morven Road and Union Road alignments that reduced
required right of way impacts.

…

A third public information open house was held on December 17, 2013 at Wiregrass Georgia
Technical College, 4089 Val Tech Road, Bldg 500, Valdosta, Georgia 31602-0929

Concerns for proposed concrete median that affects access to existing
businesses along 5.R. 122, to add Interchange lighting in project
and provide a timeline for the proposed project.

Three comment forms and three verbal comments (one of which also filled out a
comment card) at meeting with one additional comment received during ten day
period December 17, 2013 to January 2, 2014.

Moreland Altobelli Associates, Inc (hereafter called MAAI) performed
a second addendum Phase I archaeological survey of two interchanges
(SR 7 and SR 122) along Interstate 75 (I-75) in September 2016. This
archaeological survey was conducted to comply with Section 106 of
the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended,
implementing 36 CFR Part 800 for guidance. The survey was conducted
to locate and identify archaeological resources and to assess
resource significance based on National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP) criteria [36CFR Part 60.4 (a-d)]. The field survey and report
were completed using the Georgia Department of Transportation’s
(GDOT) Environmental Procedures Manual (2010) and the Georgia
Council of Professional Archaeologists Standards and Guidelines for
Archaeological Surveys (2014).

Project NHS00-0000-00 (762), Pl No. 0000762 is Phase II of Project NH-75-1(203), Pl No. 410500 the 13.40 mile widening of 1-75 from north of SR 133 to Cook County Line in Lowndes County, Georgia. Phase II proposes to widen 1.0 mile of SR 7 (Shiloh Road/N Valdosta Road) and 0.7 mile of SR 122 (Main Street) and reconstruct their interchanges with 1-75. The 1-75/ SR 7 Interchange, exit 22, is located approximately 4 miles northwest of the City of Valdosta, Georgia. The 1-75/ SR 122 Interchange, Exit 29, is located within the westernmost city limits of Hahira, Georgia.

The 1-75/SR 7 (Shiloh Road/North Valdosta Road) interchange, Exit
22, reconstruction would begin on Shiloh Road just east of the
Frank’s Creek bridge approximately 3,322 feet west of 1-75. With
proposed improvements, the existing two-lane Shiloh Road would
transition to and become a four-lane divided roadway with a 20-foot
raised concrete median and rural 6 1/2-foot outside paved shoulders.
The existing 1-75 southbound ramps constructed under Project NH
75-1(203), P.I. No. 410500 would be tied to the proposed SR 7
improvements. The project would include a new bridge over 1-75 and
reconstruct the 1-75 northbound ramps as a conventional diamond
interchange. The 1-75/SR 7 interchange reconstruction on SR 7 (N.
Valdosta Road) would end just east of the existing signalized
intersection at Coleman Road (CR 553) approximately 1953 feet east
of 1-75 where the project would tie to the existing four-lane
divided rural roadway with a 40-foot depressed grass median.
Existing ROW along SR 7 varies between 50 and 80 feet. Existing ROW
at the I-75/SR 7 intersection varies between 250 and 300 feet

The 1-75/SR122 (Main Street) Interchange, Exit 29, reconstruction
would begin on Main Street just east of the Frank’s Creek bridge
approximately 1782 feet west of 1-75. With proposed improvements,
the existing two-lane SR 122 would transition to and become two
eastbound lanes and one westbound lane separated by a variable width
flush median with rural 6 1/2-foot outside paved shoulders
approaching the intersection of relocated Morven Road and a proposed
access road serving the parcels of land on the north side of SR 122
approximately 986 feet west of 1-75. State Route (SR) 122 would
continue as a four-lane divided roadway with a 20-foot raised
concrete median and rural 6 1/2-foot outside paved shoulders to the
intersection of relocated Union Road approximately 1063 feet east of
1-75. State Route (SR) 122 would continue as one lane in each
direction separated by a variable width flush median. The 1-75/SR122
Interchange reconstruction on Main Street ends approximately 1848
feet east of 1-75 where the project would tie to the existing
two-lane rural roadway.

The project would include a new bridge over 1-75 and would
reconstruct the 1-75 ramps as a conventional diamond interchange.
Approximately 0.7 miles of Morven Road (CR 782) and 0.7 miles of
Union Road (CR 38) would be relocated to intersect reconstructed SR
122 to provide maximum median opening spacing with the proposed 1-75
ramps while minimizing impacts to the surrounding area. Existing ROW
along SR 122 is 50 feet. At the I-75/SR 122 intersection, existing
ROW varies between 250 and 300 feet. Required ROW along SR 122 is 80
feet, and required ROW along Morven Road realignment is 100 feet.

The proposed project area was surveyed in 2007 by Ground Truth
Research and again in 2008 when slight changes were made to the
Union Road realignment (Stoops 2007, 2008). In early September 2016,
MAAI archaeologist Billy McCarley reviewed the areas previously
surveyed in 2007 and 2008 and determined that certain areas of the
APE were not properly assessed in 2007 or 2008. Therefore, MAAI
returned to the project area and surveyed all existing ROW. In
addition, MAAI determined that required ROW and construction
easements along Flythe Road, Shiloh Road west of Golden Oaks Drive,
Shiloh Road east of Val Tec Drive, the southern portion of the
Morven Road realignment, the southern portion of Union Road
realignment, an unnamed road west of
Morven Road along Main Street, and the eastern portion of Main
Street needed to be assessed and shovel tested. Because the original
surveys in 2007 and 2008 were based on GDOT survey standards of 2007
and 2008, Ground Truth Research did not survey the Expanded Survey
Corridor (ESC). Therefore, because an ESC was not required during
the original survey, MAAI did not survey the ESC during this second
addendum survey.

The entire project area was inspected for archaeological materials.
Fifty-one negative shovel tests were performed along Flythe Road,
Shiloh Road west of Golden Oaks Drive, Shiloh Road east of Val Tec
Drive, the southern portion of Union Road realignment, the eastern
portion of Main Street, and along the southern portion of the Morven
Road realignment. No shovel tests were positive.

However, one site (9LW174)
was discovered on the surface along the southern portion of
the Morven Road realignment. The site is a late nineteenth to early
twentieth century historic scatter with a minor precontact
component. Site 9LW174, which spans adjacent to Morven Road in a
cultivated field, occurs completely within the APE. The site is
approximately 100 m long by 20 m wide. Because the artifact scatter
was identified on the surface, walking transects 5 meters apart were
executed along the site to identify the extent of the artifact
scatter and to collect artifacts. Then, close-interval shovel tests
are performed; however, none of the shovel tests were positive for
cultural materials or features. The portion of the cultivated field
associated with the site was thoroughly inspected in four directions
and shovel tested within and outside the APE. These methods
confirmed that the site ceased inside the APE. Shovel testing within
the site revealed a thick plow zone (20 cmbs) that was sterile of
artifacts or features.

Because of the thick plow zone, the site appears heavily disturbed
by cultivation. Because the site lacks depositional integrity and
does not contain sufficient data that would lead to future research,
MAAI recommends the site ineligible, and no further work is needed.

Report Number
9295

Year of Publication
2016

County
Lowndes

2017-04-11:
The Lowndes County Commission
discussed utility relocation for this project on
10 April 2017
and approved that on 11 April 2017, to the tune of $684,515.30, with work to be done by GDOT
and reimbursed by the county.
They also approved a contract for the county to mow all the I-75 exits
with GDOT reimbursing the county.

VALDOSTA — Lowndes County has been approved for two revamped
Interstate 75 overpasses and exits, according to the state
Department of Transportation.

A $46 million construction project to rebuild and improve two
heavily traveled I-75 interchanges in Lowndes County is scheduled to
be advertised for bid following approval Thursday by the State
Transportation Board, according to a state press release issued
Friday.

The Georgia Department of Transportation project to reconstruct
Exits 22 and 29 will be made available for bid June 16. The award to
the lowest qualified bidder is expected to be announced by the end
of June….

Exit 29 is the state Route 122/Main Street interchange at Hahira and
Exit 22 is U.S. 41/SR 7/North Valdosta Road near Valdosta.

The bridges were built in 1960 and the design is outdated for
current and projected traffic, Golden said.

The bridges are narrow, which makes it difficult for motorists at
the top of the ramps to see oncoming traffic, according to state
officials. Both routes are two lanes and SR 122 doesn’t have turn
lanes. A short SR 7 westbound turn lane for traffic to go south on
I-75 often backs up, which blocks through traffic.

The project will widen both bridges to four lanes with turn lanes,
paved shoulders and concrete medians and will reconstruct the ramps.
This will improve traffic flow and capacity and improve visibility
exiting the ramps.

It is the latest of 16 bridge replacements in Southwest Georgia that
were awarded within the past 12 months or are scheduled to be
advertised for bid this year, according to the DOT press release.
Structurally deficient and/or functionally obsolete bridges on and
off the state highway system are being replaced with structures that
meet current Georgia DOT guidelines.

Many of the aging bridges are in rural areas. Replacing them is good
for rural Georgia where farmers and agricultural-based industries
need to move products to market, Commissioner Russell McMurry noted.
Some bridges that are being replaced have posted weight limits due
to deterioration. One was ordered shut down by Georgia DOT.

This project is for the intersection improvements/constructions of SR 7
(North Valdosta Road) and SR 122 (Main Street) over Highway I-75. The
improvements include construction of ramps and side streets (see attached
location map). The project lies north of the city limits of Valdosta in
Lowndes County.

2.

Geology

This project will be geologically sited in the Miccosukee Formation of the
Georgia Coastal Plain .

3.

Removal

The soils near the proposed grade in the following areas were found to have
in-place moisture contents far above the optimum moisture contents. This
condition has the potential to cause severe pumping problems during
subgrade and base construction. After excavation in these areas is complete,
we recommend that 24 inches of subgrade soils beneath the pavement and
shoulders be removed and either dried out and replaced, or replaced with
drier soils:

The Georgia Department of Transportation has awarded the
reconstruction of two Lowndes County Interstate 75 interchanges at a
cost of $48.4 million with a completion date of April 30, 2020.

Reames and Son Construction Co. Inc. of Valdosta was the lowest
qualified bidder on the project that will improve the interchanges
of Exits 22 and 29. No construction start date has been determined.
The overpasses will not close and construction will be staged to
avoid long-term detours.

Exit 22 is U.S. 41/SR 7/North Valdosta Road/Shiloh Road near
Valdosta and Exit 29 is SR 122/Main Street at Hahira. The project
was advertised for bid in May and the contract was awarded June 30….

Reconstruction of most I-75 interchanges in southwest Georgia is in
the Georgia DOT work program. The next two interchanges slated for
reconstruction are Exits 2 and 11. The Department is proposing to
advertise the project for bid in 2019.

The Exit 22 and 29 project was the largest single monetary contract
awarded in June, but it was not the only one that will benefit
southwest Georgia.

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